Raised Catholic, am now atheist, but I support the Baha'i faith because I believe it is the religion that the world needs. I can't be a Baha'i because I don't believe in god, but I do believe in its message of unity and equality.
Hi Brian Meeks, that's very honest - not that you are asking for suggestions, so just ignore me, but cant help myself! I'd suggest reading Baha'i writings on the nature of God - as an unknowable essence, meditating on it - read the Hidden words, Seven Valleys, Iqan and see if you feel a power beyond human there - if not, no harm will result and of yes, then perhaps new possibilities.....
Glad for you on being honest and open to what you feel. You are not disapproving yourself. There is “unknown” out there waiting to be disclosed or sprouts out... it is just a matter of timing. ❤️
I feel the same. I am afraid to contact and ask to join. Not only am I just too scared to be rejected, but I also hear they send a Baha'i to your home, and my household will be completely unaccepting of anything but roman catholic religious beliefs.
@@sadhuvoodoo5285 I know this is late in reply...While Baha'is are joyful at the prospect of meeting and welcoming a new adherent to the Faith, there must also be sensitivity in such matters. A conversation must be had to relay concerns such as yours. As Baha'is work for unity, to create disunity within a family would sadden them. If a person requests no visit to the home that must be respected.
This is such a great overall picture of what is happening on this planet and how wonderful that the Bahai community has offered this for the world to see and become strengthened and encouraged by it. Thank you so much.
Nice video. Just one thing I would like to add: there are many Bahais serving in a huge variety of activities outside the institute process. These Bahais play a crucial role in bettering the world and their local communities on so many levels. It would be nice to show the world that service is not only within the institute but also in many other fields.
Lovely! Unity in Diversity is prominent among Baha'is. "The children of men are all brothers, and the prerequisites of brotherhood are manifold. Among them is that one should wish for one's brother that which one wisheth for oneself." -Baha'u'llah
I loved seeing my friends in this video!!! You know who you are. Lots of LOVE!!! it's a beautiful video too, thanks for that powerful unifying description of the Faith.
This is a stunningly beautiful overview of the Faith and the practical ways we --each of us yet together--bring forward an inclusive, loving, unified world. Thank you.
There are some similarity between Hinduism and Bahá'í Faith related to oneness of god and spirituality. I feel the same whenever i visit Lotus temple in Delhi
Baha'u'llah says of His Revelation - "This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future" Insightful that you see the connection with the Hindu Faith, as others can see with Christian, Muslim etc
Baha'u'llah has brought back the meaning of 'religion' to its original form and purpose. Among other things; one point i like to emphasize - the tumultuous will continue unless and until women take their rightful place in governance - local, national and international. this goal is still far and far. we have to work harder and swifter
Such a good video about the Bahá'í Faith! I have shared it many times. I now know how to put subtitles in any language (use auto translate in settings). Worth sharing with friends.
We are usually concerned with having warm shelter and clothing, and having enough food, finding a mate, and raising our children. Even the animals want that! What is it that makes the humans any better than beasts who fight to the death to live? It is a paradox we must escape, if we are to have durable Peace on Earth!
One world theology is impossible but one world experience is not only possible but essential. It is the essence of human survival, a survival of the heart. Love, peace, understanding and forgiveness is taking humanity to a new and exciting level of existence. God's Love already exists, it is humans that have to allow that Love, that Light to shine through our very existence.
I don't understand everything, but I'm open to help too. This has had my attention recently in light of Lent being said to be one with the last Baha'i month on the calendar which my priest has mentioned.
My husband is very very impressed with the teachings of this faith. He is looking for all Religions and faiths which respect each other’s faith and Religion and come out of “My Religion and Faith is the Best”, instead Like Bahai and Brahmakumaris, accepting all Religions and faiths which propagate One God, Oneness of Civilisation, Universal Brotherhood, Love and Compassion for all living on the earth, and wish Wars could be Stopped. God Bless us. Om Shanti.💐💐💐💐🙏🙏
Hi everyone I'm in bahai because when I was about 9 or 10 year old I saw what's interesting about bahai it is all about friends coming together become families with other that's when I realize my mom & dad become as one faith in bahai then I gorw older I know I have to come as bahai because bahai is our unity of life loving kindness faithfulness now that I've seen everything when I was young seeing faith being bahai it's great just believing God our lord keep faith in him and faith in yourself and families friends 🙏🙏🙏😇😇😇🙂🙂🙂
+Cris Robles to be officially enrolled as a Baha'i one of the things you must publicly accept is that Baha'ullah is the latest Manifestation of God. So yes you probably need to believe in God first. However I think if you spend a little time investigating the conception of God laid out by Baha'ullah that it is at odds with highly anthropomorphic ideas of God which are at the root of much of which drives the objections to the idea of God held by atheist. Baha'ullah actually denies direct access to the essence of God (in the socratic sense). "Thou are sanctified above all attributes and holy above all Names" Baha'ullah says when referring to God.
+Cris Robles That is a reasonable and fair question. To be a Baha'i means to be foremost a believer in: The Oneness of God; The Oneness of Religion; and the Oneness of Humanity.All three of these are interlinked and inseparable---that is, you can't be a believer in only 1(or two), while neglecting the other condition(s).Great question!
+Cris Robles To be Baha'i you must acknowledge that Baha'u'llah is the Promised Manifestation of God for this Age (period in time). Traditional atheists do not believe in God, so therefore it would be quite a challenge to study the Words of God and apply them to your life if you do not give value to God. I am a former atheist that declared my Faith in Baha'u'llah a few years ago and my life has never been more fulfilled.
+Cris Robles You can absolutely participate in Baha'i activities and gatherings. There was a Baha'i friend (I saw in a SoulPancake video) who said that he preferred not to think about God as one entity. God to the human mind is unfathomable. What we search for is truth, everywhere. I find beauty in Baha'u'llah's teachings and what I glean from them helps me to see beauty in other people. This beauty and oneness that Baha'u'llah speaks of I perceive as truth. I think we should never stop investigating truth.
Wow, I've never heard of this group until now. I would really like to participate, but I just have one question. Do you guys read from the bible? Or do you guys have your own books?
Hello. Recently converted Bahai here. Born a Catholic, then became Jehovahs witness at age 10 for 2 years. The next 13 years, was an Atheist. Now am a Bahai. We read all spiritual scripture from the 7 major manifestations (Adam, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, and Mohammed, as well as the books from Baha'u'llah.)
@irv irv , I recieved your reply in my email, but it doesn't show up here on youtube, but anyway, thank you very much for your comment. Small world, I used to be a Jehovah's Witness too (Almost all my life, but not officially, since I was never baptized) Was a publisher from age 11-20, long time huh, without having gotten baptized (I am 20 now). Right now I am agnostic. My question to you is, you say all those that you mentioned are the 7 major manifestations (or did you say 8?), but do you actually believe those scriptures to be true? That they actually happened? I myself do not, to me it is only mythology due to much research I have done, but I ask you because I would like to know what you meant. Like do you use those scriptures just to learn from the lessons, or do you actually believe those things happened? Thank you.
+Cris Robles We believe that some of the old stories may have happened, and some of them maybe didnt happen. Bahais interpret holy scriptures spiritually. The stories are not that important for us. But we believe that the spiritual meaning of the stories is true. For example: We believe that the story of Adam and Eve is true. But we dont believe, that it litterally happened: reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/saq-30.html
+Cris Robles Greetings, Chris. Of prime importance to anyone seeking truth is the Baha'i principle of independent investigation. I grew up in the Christian faith (Methodist), and it has been through asking questions, learning, praying and reflecting that I gained new perspective. If you reach out to the Baha'is in your community, there's a good chance you'll find many opportunities to learn with others of all backgrounds in a warm, open environment. Otherwise, you can go to www.bahai.us for more information. You are most welcome to join in these many efforts to contribute to the betterment of all.
+Cris Robles Baha'is believe in the truth of all the Holy Writings. However, they do not take literally certain passages. Metaphor is essential to deliver meaning because this is how we can translate spiritual events into more accessible reality. Meaning is invested in physical terms to talk about spiritual miracles, etc. I'm not wide-read in the teachings of Baha'u'llah but this is what I've gathered.
Peace- we all striving to in love and peace with each other. Imagine living in aworld where everyone is looking after esch ,no hunger no passports- travel freely because of our Unity. No wars ,one universal language, When this achieved we ,AS HUMANS ONLY REACH THE HALFWAY MARK because what elimanates our peace is out of our control. medical conditions. sunamis, viruses, road accidents and Death to mention a few. What the world need is aSaviour, Live in Hope that Jesus does not change His Message of Salvation.
Can you give a specific reference? It's not something I've heard of before. But if you want to search through the material that Bahá'ís hold as cannon, you can look at this website - www.bahai.org/library/
Baha'i are not allowed to judge anybody based on race, color of skin, same goes for anybody's gender. Prophet founder of the faith, Baha`u`llah made it very clear in His writing that members of the Faith have no business in passing judgements on the society's choices of homosexuality. We are to love and accept and respect a gay person.
I have never heard a legitimate reason for only men serving in the Universal House of Justice. I feal it is a question that a lot of seekers have. Can anyone out there give me the reason?
Yes, Muhammad did teach oneness, love, mercy, and peace. But 1,400 years later, what do we see in Muslim communities and around the world? Is the world united and at peace with itself? If not, why not? And don't you think the world is in need of renewal? That is why Baha'u'llah has come. Please investigate his message with an open mind.
I don't see how this differs from true Christianity (the teachings of Jesus) Jesus taught all this ... the exact same stuff and maybe more. In fact, the Christian movement became known as "Catholic" which means Universal or One Faith. It is all about oneness, equality for all etc. etc. = LOVE ! What am I missing here ? Maybe someone can explain how any of this differs from the teachings of Jesus ? I admire what I am learning about Bahai Faith because I see in it what Jesus taught 2,000 years ago.
Hello Katolik, Absolutely! I will try to address your question. The Founder-Prophet of the Baha'i Faith, Bahá’u’lláh (meaning the Glory of the Father) had a Son named ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá who said _“The difference between a Christian and a Baha’i, therefore, is this: There was a former springtime, and there is a springtime now. No other difference exists because the foundations are the same. Whoever acts completely in accordance with the teachings of Christ is a Baha’i. The purpose is the essential meaning of Christian, not the mere word.”_ in another place he stated _“If the followers of the Lord Christ had continued to follow out these principles with steadfast faithfulness, there would have been no need for a renewal of the Christian Message, no necessity for a re-awakening of His people, for a great and glorious civilization would now be ruling the world and the Kingdom of Heaven would have come on earth.”_ Briefly, the Baha’i Faith, accepts Christianity as true, as Christianity accepts Judaism as true, yet, just as Christ renewed the eternal truths of Judaism, He brought new social teachings suited to the new conditions of humanity, a new Covenant from God for a new age, and abrogated older teachings (like the Sabbath) ( _"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill”_ (Matt 5:17)) the Baha’i Faith claims to bring a new Revelation from God, through Bahá’u’lláh. Baha’is understand Baha’u’llah to be the return of Christ. _“I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.”_ (John 16:12) Baha’is believe Bahá’u’lláh has come to bring us the whole truth. It is worth reflecting why Jews denied His Holiness Christ whom they awaited, in the same light the reasons a Christian would deny Bahá’u’lláh, who has come with a _“new name”_ and as a _“theif in the night”_ ? The new social teachings and institutions for humanity that Bahá’u’lláh established in over 100 volumes are not in conflict with Christ but as the fulfillment of His promise to us -the new Jerusalem - _"Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."_ The independent investigation of the truth is central in the Baha’i Faith (we do not have clergy or priests), so I’m glad you do not simply believe what anyone tells you, including me :) haha, but that you consider putting the claims of Bahá’u’lláh to the test for yourself to _“see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others”_ as Bahá’u’lláh asks us. _“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”_ (Matt. 7:15) Either way, as I'm sure you'd agree, I don't think its a question that can either be accepted or disregarded lightly. If you would like to look into this you can visit bahai.org Best regards and stay well :) P.S Here's some other quotations perhaps relevant to this question: _“As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized, that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended.”_ -Baha’i Writings _“The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy. Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world needeth in its present-day afflictions can never be the same as that which a subsequent age may require. Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.”_ -Bahá’u’lláh _“He, verily, is come with His Kingdom, and all the atoms cry aloud: ‘Lo! The Lord is come in His great majesty!’ He Who is the Father is come, and the Son, in the holy vale, crieth out: ‘Here am I, here am I, O Lord, My God!’, whilst Sinai circleth round the House, and the Burning Bush calleth aloud: ‘The All-Bounteous is come mounted upon the clouds! Blessed is he that draweth nigh unto Him, and woe betide them that are far away.’ ”_ -Bahá’u’lláh “O followers of all religions! We behold you wandering distraught in the wilderness of error. Ye are the fish of this Ocean; wherefore do ye withhold yourselves from that which sustaineth you? Lo, it surgeth before your faces. Hasten unto it from every clime. This is the day whereon the Rock (Peter) crieth out and shouteth, and celebrateth the praise of its Lord, the All-Possessing, the Most High, saying: ‘Lo! The Father is come, and that which ye were promised in the Kingdom is fulfilled!’ This is the Word which was preserved behind the veils of grandeur, and which, when the Promise came to pass, shed its radiance from the horizon of the Divine Will with clear tokens. My body hath borne imprisonment that your souls may be released from bondage, and We have consented to be abased that ye may be exalted. Follow the Lord of glory and dominion, and not every ungodly oppressor. My body longeth for the cross, and Mine head awaiteth the thrust of the spear, in the path of the All-Merciful, that the world may be purged from its transgressions. Thus hath the Daystar of divine authority shone forth from the horizon of the Revelation of Him Who is the Possessor of all names and attributes.” -Bahá’u’lláh _“Let there be no mistake. The principle of the Oneness of Mankind-the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve-is no mere outburst of ignorant emotionalism or an expression of vague and pious hope. Its appeal is not to be merely identified with a reawakening of the spirit of brotherhood and good-will among men, nor does it aim solely at the fostering of harmonious coöperation among individual peoples and nations. Its implications are deeper, its claims greater than any which the Prophets of old were allowed to advance. Its message is applicable not only to the individual, but concerns itself primarily with the nature of those essential relationships that must bind all the states and nations as members of one human family. It does not constitute merely the enunciation of an ideal, but stands inseparably associated with an institution adequate to embody its truth, demonstrate its validity, and perpetuate its influence. It implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced. It constitutes a challenge, at once bold and universal, to outworn shibboleths of national creeds-creeds that have had their day and which must, in the ordinary course of events as shaped and controlled by Providence, give way to a new gospel, fundamentally different from, and infinitely superior to, what the world has already conceived. It calls for no less than the reconstruction and the demilitarization of the whole civilized world-a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life, its political machinery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and finance, its script and language, and yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units.”_ -Baha’i Writings _"If ye be intent on crucifying once again Jesus, the Spirit of God, put Me to death, for He hath once more, in My person, been made manifest unto you."_ -Bahá’u’lláh
